Boy’s Body Found: Identified as Jennifer Hudson’s Missing Nephew

October 27, 2008 — Patrick Zimmerman

Boy’s Body Found: Very Likely Jennifer Hudson’s Missing Nephew

It was reported on Friday that the mother and brother of Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson were found shot to death inside her mother’s house on the South Side of Chicago on Friday afternoon, and that the police were said to be looking for her 7-year-old nephew. Police had confirmed that Ms. Hudson’s mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, was one of the victims, and that the other victim was identified as Ms. Hudson’s brother, Jason S. Hudson, 29.

The body of a young boy was found Monday morning on Chicago’s West Side. He was found inside a white SUV that is registered to Jennifer Hudson’s slain brother, Jason Hudson. The body was of a black boy, about 7 years-old. Although final identification of the boy had not been made, it is very likely that the child is 7-year-old Julian King.

Boy’s Body Found: Very Likely Hudson’s Missing Nephew

Update: Top FBI officials have confirmed that the body discovered in an SUV in Chicago is indeed that of Jennifer Hudson’s missing 7 year-old nephew, Julian King.

Chicago police brought Julian’s body to the medical examiner’s office shortly after noon today. Jennifer Hudson and other family members arrived about three hours later, said office spokesman Sean Howard. When the group entered a viewing room at the office Ms. Hudson held her head down, as if praying, he said. The family then identified Julian via a video screen mounted on a wall that showed his face. The family chose the video screen option rather than looking directly at the body, Howard said.

The family was “obviously distraught,” but Howard said Hudson “remained strong for her family. It was very clear she was the leader. She held hands with her family. It was obviously a very emotional moment.” When they saw the boy’s face on the screen, Hudson told investigators, “Yes, that is him,” Howard said.